The A259 through Fishbourne

The main road corridor and its impact on the village

The A259 is the main coast road running through Fishbourne, connecting Chichester to the east with Bosham, Emsworth, and Havant to the west. It is one of the most significant roads in the area and has shaped the development and daily life of Fishbourne for decades.

The road carries a heavy volume of traffic, particularly at peak commuter times when vehicles heading between Chichester and the western villages create queues through the village. The section through Fishbourne is a single carriageway, and congestion at the roundabout junction with Fishbourne Road is a daily frustration for residents and through-traffic alike.

The A259 predates modern Fishbourne. It follows the approximate line of a much older route along the coastal plain, and the village developed along and around it. The road divides Old Fishbourne to the south from the newer development to the north, and crossing it on foot can feel hazardous at busy times.

For residents, the A259 is both an asset and a burden. It provides fast access to Chichester and the A27 bypass, but it also brings noise, pollution, and a barrier effect that cuts through the village. Traffic calming measures have been discussed periodically, but the road's status as a classified A-road limits what can be done without major investment.

The A259 continues west through Bosham, Broadbridge, and Southbourne to Emsworth, and east into Chichester where it meets the A286 and connects to the A27. It is the main alternative to the A27 for east-west journeys along the coastal plain, and when the A27 is congested or closed, the A259 through Fishbourne carries the diverted traffic.